More questions over new hospital design
IN response to then DCC urban design leader Crystal Filep’s vision, my letter (ODT, 3.12.18) asked ‘‘Let’s be ambitious when designing new hospital.’’
It put forward a case for hospital facades which are people friendly, and asked Minister David Clark and Mr Pete Hodgson if steps could be taken to inquire and comment on possibilities for a streetscape enhancing design. Neither responded.
So, now on the front page (ODT, 8.12.18) is the third artist rendering since May of a section of the new hospital that can only be described as hostile to pedestrians, tourists, and the streetscape view. These new hospital design representations are cubes, only slightly less intimidating than the concrete curtain walls of the Cadbury factory.
If Messrs Clark and Hodgson must commit to the absolute lowest cost design and construction, and also the lowest cost architectural firm this would be good to know now so all Dunedinites might lower their expectations and resign themselves to yet another cold monolith in our heritage CBD. Perhaps rate and taxpayers would not mind paying a little more.
Although it might be necessary, at a very moderate incremental cost, to add another storey to the hospital to maintain the required floor space, would it not be a kinder design to feature foot path level open air alcoves rising three stories around all four facades of the building? These could feature outdoor seating for hospital patient visitors to take a break, outdoor sculpture, perhaps a fountain/water feature, entry to a cafe, or even an entry to a glassenclosed hospital admin department, where actual people might be visible.
Hope remains for something better than what has in the paper been pictured, and some response from those responsible for our new hospital. Craig Werner Macandrew Bay
WITH the hospital site confirmed and the demolition tenders in the offing, why were Hayward and Cumberland Halls not acquired under the 1981 Public Works Act? Were they not provisioned for medical purposes back in the day? Perhaps better they had been made car parks when they had the chance. And was there a study done on the viability of the Cadbury complex as a business proposition? What too the chance of contagion with the proposed hospital so near the shopping and entertainment precinct? Surely the city will lose a fine Art Deco facade. Tom Ryan
Dunedin
Mahy playground
IN yesterday’s ODT the proposed children’s playground near the harbour basin sounds great. However, I make two comments with regard to the mention of the successful
Margaret Mahy playground in Christchurch.
Firstly, there is little patronage when there is the bitterly cold easterly wind (often) and secondly there are many car parks available (off and on street) for the people movers and 4WD vehicles that parents drive to take their children to visit.
I presume the promoters have taken into consideration the prevailing wind off the harbour and my perceived lack of parking into consideration as both could have significant effect on usage and subsequent success (or failure) of the project.
Diversity
N. G. Smith
Maori Hill REGARDING ‘‘increasing diversity is likely to result in distraction from achieving coherent results’’ (ODT letters, 8.12.18).
If someone is distracted by diversity in the workplace and unable to achieve coherent results, they are not the best person for the job.
Give the job to someone who is not so easily distracted.
L. Wassell Andersons Bay
JUST what is the point of a New